Draw a large labelled diagram to show the structure of Rhizopus - Leaving Cert Biology - Question (b) - 2015

Fungi like Rhizopus serve primarily as decomposers in their ecosystems. They break down dead organic matter, returning essential nutrients to the soil, which supports plant growth. This process is crucial for nutrient cycling.

The role of fungi in decomposition is vital because it ensures the recycling of nutrients within ecosystems. Without decomposers, dead plant and animal material would accumulate, leading to a depletion of nutrients in the soil, ultimately hindering plant growth and the broader ecosystem health.

One key structural difference between Fungi and Plantae is that fungi possess a cell wall made of chitin, while plants have a cell wall composed of cellulose.

The method of asexual reproduction in Rhizopus is known as sporulation.

The sexual reproduction in Rhizopus involves different strains of the fungus that typically exist in two mating types, labeled as '+' and '−'. The process is as follows:

1. Plasmogamy: When compatible hyphae of opposite mating types come into contact, they fuse, leading to the formation of a dikaryotic cell where two distinct nuclei coexist.
2. Karyogamy: The nuclei then fuse to form a diploid zygote nucleus.
3. Meiosis: This diploid zygote undergoes meiosis, resulting in the formation of haploid spores.
4. Germination: The spores are released from specialized structures called zygosporangia and germinate under favorable conditions, giving rise to new fungal individuals and continuing the life cycle.